Lower Body Lift
What is a Lower Body Lift?
A lower body lift, also called a circumferential body lift or belt lipectomy, is a comprehensive body-contouring surgery designed to remove excess skin and improve the shape of the abdomen, waist, hips, buttocks, and lower back. It is most commonly performed after significant weight loss, when loose skin extends beyond the abdomen and cannot be adequately addressed with a tummy tuck alone.
Though the procedure is highly individualized, a lower body lift typically involves an incision extending around the body in a circumferential pattern. The procedure can be tailored to address the areas where excess skin and tissue are most pronounced while improving the overall transition between the abdomen, waist, hips, and buttocks.
Who Is a Good Candidate?
You may be a good candidate for a lower body lift if you:
- Have significant excess or loose skin following weight loss
- Have loose skin extending around the abdomen, hips, flanks, or lower back
- Have an abdominal overhang that extends beyond the front of the body
- Are bothered by loose skin or changes in the shape of the buttocks
- Are near a stable, healthy weight
- Are in good overall health
- Do not plan significant additional weight loss
- Have realistic expectations about what surgery can accomplish
A lower body lift is particularly useful when excess skin extends circumferentially around the body. If your concerns are primarily limited to the front of the abdomen, a tummy tuck may be more appropriate.
What to Expect
During your private consultation, your doctor will:
- Discuss your weight-loss history and goals
- Examine the abdomen, waist, hips, buttocks, and lower back
- Evaluate the amount and distribution of excess skin
- Review previous abdominal or body-contouring surgeries
- Determine the appropriate incision and surgical technique
- Discuss whether additional procedures should be performed at the same time or in a staged fashion
- Review your medical history and current medications
- Explain the benefits, limitations, risks, scars, and expected recovery
The position of the incision is carefully planned based on your anatomy and the areas being treated. Whenever possible, the scar is positioned where it can be concealed by underwear or swimwear.
Because a lower body lift involves a larger area of the body than a tummy tuck, your surgeon will carefully consider the extent of surgery that can be performed safely during one operation.
We encourage you to ask questions, discuss your goals openly, and take the time you need to understand your options. Our goal is for you to leave your consultation with all the information necessary to make the treatment decision that is right for you.
The Procedure
A lower body lift is typically performed under general anesthesia and usually takes 5 hours or more, depending on the extent of surgery and whether additional procedures are performed.
The procedure involves:
- An incision around the lower portion of the torso, with the exact location and length determined by the amount and distribution of excess skin
- Removal of excess skin and tissue from the abdomen, hips, flanks, and lower back
- Tightening and closure of the remaining tissues to create the new body contour
- Reshaping and lifting of the buttocks as part of the posterior portion of the procedure
- Abdominal wall tightening when indicated
- Liposuction of selected areas when appropriate to further refine the contour
- Repositioning of the belly button when the abdominal portion is performed as a full abdominoplasty
Drains are usually placed to reduce fluid accumulation during the early healing period. While some patients can return home the same day, due to the length and complexity of the procedure, it is often recommended to remain in the hospital overnight for observation.
Recovery after lower body lift
Recovery following a lower body lift is more extensive than recovery from many individual body-contouring procedures because a larger area of the body is treated.
You can expect:
- Swelling and bruising during the first several weeks
- Soreness and tightness around the abdomen, hips, and back
- Temporary numbness or changes in skin sensation
- Limited mobility during the early recovery period
- A gradual improvement in body contour as swelling resolves
- Compression garments during the early healing period
- Temporary restrictions on sitting, sleeping positions, lifting, and exercise
Many patients require approximately 2 to 3 weeks away from work, although recovery varies depending on the extent of surgery and the physical demands of your occupation.
Walking is encouraged soon after surgery, but strenuous exercise and heavy lifting must be avoided until your surgeon determines that you are ready, usually at least 6 weeks.
Swelling gradually decreases over several weeks, while the final contour continues to improve over the following months.
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